Title: A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe #1)
Author: P. Djeli Clark
Genre: Fantasy, historical fantasy
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: May 11, 2021
Format: Audiobook
Length: 16 hours

Read if you like: murder mystery, historical fantasy, fantasy detectives, Egyptian folklore and magic, action-packed plot, intricate world building

Rating: 

A Master of Djinn was a whirlwind of a surprise. I typically love fantasy novels with settings similar to this one so I knew I’d enjoy this book, but I didn’t expect the steampunk, murder mystery, detective-style approach to be so fun! At any given time, a lot was happening, but the world-building was so rich and intricate and the society that Djeli Clark crafted was so interesting that it kept me listening for hours at a time. 

My only gripe about this book was that at times, it felt long. There was a lot of action consistently, but sometimes I wanted to see the story itself moving along a bit more quickly. That said, it was still a really fun ride with a lot of great potential for future stories. 

This was a solid story in a universe that I loved. I’d recommend it if a combination of Djinns and Egyptian magic with a murder mystery sounds to be up your alley. 

The Book: A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark

A Master of Djinn follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, a detective working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities in 1912 in Cairo. In this version of Cairo, magic is afoot everywhere, and djinns are real and require regular administration from government agencies. 

When someone murders several prominent men involved in a secret brotherhood dedicated to the famous al-Jahiz, Agent Fatma is called onto the case to investigate. 

With her new partner and her girlfriend Siti, Fatma will have to uncover a whole magical underground and secrets that have been hidden from humans for a long time before she’ll be able to uncover the true identity of the mass murderer pretending to be al-Jahiz. Her journey will take her across a whole different world of Cairo and she’ll have to learn to work with others if she hopes to save her city and, ultimately, the world. 

The Review

What an entertaining novel. This was so much fun from start to finish.

I loved the concept: a part crime/mystery, part fantasy/magic novel set in an early 1900s Egypt that’s both progressive and full of wonder.  It’s clear that Djeli Clark is a master world-builder and while a setting is typically the backdrop, in the case of A Master of Djinn, I felt like it was integral, almost a character itself; it really carried the story.

I also absolutely loved the themes of female empowerment and how pervasive it was throughout the book. There’s an acknowledgement that this wouldn’t have been the case in reality, but the characters push back against the archetypes that should hold them and are all powerful in their own rights. I loved seeing them all flex their unique skills and demand the respect that was owed to them.

I also loved the interpretation of traditional mythological beings, they were unique from other stories I’ve read in similar settings. Sobek, for example, was this wonderfully memorable character who initially feels minor but becomes pivotal to the plot. Djeli Clark’s characterization of Sobek was so unique from other accounts that I’ve read of the being that I found their interpretation to be wildly entertaining and I looked forward to the moments when Sobek popped up. 

The plot was dense and complex, and at times felt a bit slow-paced, which was my only complaint. Even though there was a lot of action, I would have liked to see the story move faster. That said, I read this via audiobook and have to note that the narrator was exceptionally good. I really felt transported into the world. 

This was a super solid read for me. It was thoroughly enjoyable and a world I’d definitely go back to. If you’re craving an Egyptian fantasy with a wild amount of action, I’d recommend giving this book a go.